Brazilian authorities have also filed legal actions claiming the operation harms nearby communities.
The biggest financial obligation is a $100 million loan from UAE-based shareholder Synergy Capital, signed four years ago and maturing around December. The facility accounts for the bulk of Sigma's total debt, which stood at $134 million as of March 31.
Co-chair Marcelo Paiva said, "The company is producing and generating cash." He added that because the loan carries a high borrowing cost, Sigma has no interest in renewing it, and described Synergy as an "important shareholder" and "excellent counterpart."
Following the quarter, Sigma obtained advance payments through deals for lithium concentrate.
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The temporary mine shutdown, which began in October and lasted several months, was intended to upgrade equipment and switch contractors. However, it also created a production gap that fueled investor wariness. Sigma's shares have dropped more than 20% this year, reflecting broader lithium price uncertainty and concerns about the company's financial obligations. Despite those headwinds, management maintains that operational improvements will generate enough cash to meet near-term debt.
During 2024, Sigma received approval from Brazil's BNDES development bank for a climate-related loan of 487 million reais (equivalent to $96 million) with a 16-year term to finance its plant expansion. That project aims to roughly double output to 520,000 metric tons of concentrate annually.
Sigma announced in April that it had obtained a bank guarantee needed to access those funds. However, BNDES said in an e-mailed response that money has not been released because the company still has conditions to fulfill. "The bank is reviewing new information submitted by the company before deciding whether to move forward with the financing agreement."
Paiva co-founded A10 Investimentos alongside Sigma CEO Ana Cabral in 2013, where he now serves as managing partner. One of A10's funds, which is Sigma's largest investor, has been buying shares on the open market recently - keeping its stake below 5% - because that fund considers the lithium miner undervalued compared to its peers.
As the company works to clear its near-term debt and expand capacity, the broader lithium market remains volatile. Sigma's ability to secure the BNDES loan and maintain production levels will be critical to its financial stability. The temporary mine shutdown earlier this year, while intended to improve efficiency, also disrupted output and contributed to investor uncertainty.
The legal challenges from Brazilian prosecutors add another layer of complexity. The authorities claim that Sigma's operations harm local communities, and while the company denies wrongdoing, these lawsuits could result in fines or operational restrictions. Furthermore, the broader lithium market has seen price declines, impacting the valuation of producers. Sigma's stock drop reflects these combined pressures, but management remains optimistic about the company's prospects.
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